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Live Life on Purpose

A Christian Gap Year for Young Adults Ready to Build a Life

We've built an intentional, nine-month gap year so you can discover your purpose, grow in your faith, and build a foundation for your life.‍

Our
experience in construction trades
deepened
faith
sense of
community
leadership & life development
clarity in direction & calling

Want to Learn More?

Curious if Excel Life Gap Year is the right fit for you? Schedule a call to talk with our team, ask questions, and discover whether our program is your next step.

schedule a call

What is Gap Year?

Excel Life Gap Year is a 9-month, Christ-centered experience designed to help young adults grow up with purpose. Participants live in intentional Christian community, work in real-world environments, and receive mentorship and coaching. Throughout their journey, participants will build the habits, skills, and maturity needed for life after school.

We currently offer the nation's first real-estate and construction trades gap year program designed to equip participants with practical trade skills, leadership, and a strong foundation for long-term vocational success. We look forward to offering more tracks in the future, so stay tuned for updates.

Build Your Future

Work 25+ hours a week in the construction trades. Gain real-world experience and work toward certifications, licensing, and long-term employment.

01

Grow in Community

Live alongside like-minded believers in shared daily rhythms of faith, accountability, and friendship. Receive consistent discipleship and mentorship.

02

Learn to
Lead

Grow in leadership through real responsibility, hands-on challenges, and intentional coaching. Develop initiative, discipline, and maturity—both on the job and in the home.

03

Throughout your time, you will...

Work in the Trades

Gain hands-on experience in construction-related work while learning practical skills and strong work habits.

Learn Business Basics

Develop experience in work ethic, client relationships, financial basics, and what it means to operate an independent business with excellence.

Live in Christian Community

Share life with peers through housing, meals, accountability, worship, and discipleship rhythms.

Receive Mentorship & Coaching

Engage in ongoing mentorship, monthly one-on-one coaching, and guidance from leaders in both ministry and industry.

Grow in Leadership

Participate in intentional leadership development and learn to take initiative in the workplace, at home, and in the community.

Gain Clarity for What’s Next

End these nine months with clearer direction about your vocation, next steps, and how to follow God faithfully in your adult life.

Earn College Credit

Earn college credit through Excel College as you develop your character, grow your skillset, and gain direction.

Learn in the Classroom

As Christians, it can be incredibly difficult to navigate our noisy technological age. We are always bombarded with more influences and ideas than we can even consciously recognize – today “Influencer” is considered an occupation. This leaves those without a reliable filter of knowing how to think well, are susceptible to a conflicting culture that constantly demands what we ought to think. In the classroom, we guide campers through fundamental lessons in discernment – shaping a lens of Critical Thinking. From a bedrock of God’s truth we learn to ask better questions, blessing our lifelong journey of learning and discerning.

Critical Thinking

Discover the Critical Thinking skills necessary for you to filter through the noise, discern truth, and act wisely in the world.

WFA & CPR Certifications

Up your skill level by earning certifications through immersive hands-on training in both Wilderness First Aid and CPR.

College Scholarship

Invest in your future by receiving a $500 scholarship towards Excel College tuition when you go through the camp.

College Credit

Receive college credit from Excel College in Critical Thinking by completing the Summer Leadership Camp.

Grow in community

With a maximum of 20 campers per session, you will find the camp to be a fun and inviting atmosphere conducive to building lifelong friendships. You’ll be surrounded by leaders and peers pursuing God and His Wisdom for their lives. After twelve days, you’ll be equipped to ask great questions, seek wisdom, and become a servant leader who gives your gifts to the world around you.

What to expect with Gap Year...

25+ hours working in the construction trades

Community living & shared meals

Weekly gatherings with worship, teaching, & fellowship

Coaching & mentorship connections

Monthly leadership development workshops

Opportunities to serve, take initiative, & grow in responsibility

When?

Fall of 2026

A nine-month journey, Excel Life Gap Year runs from October - June.‍

start an application

Where?

Black Mountain, NC

The program is based in Black Mountain, North Carolina near the Excel College campus and connected to a strong local community with construction opportunities in high demand. Participants get to enjoy a mountain town setting with an intentional Christian community and access to real vocational work.

Who?

Young Adults

Excel Life Gap Year is for young adults ages 18–28 who are ready for a different kind of next step. Gap Year is primarily built for recent graduates who are interested in hands-on work, hungry for deeper Christian community, and are exploring an alternative to the traditional college path.‍

Cost?

Affordable & Practical

Participants pay $1,200 a month for housing, weeknight dinners, mentorship, and on the job training. All licensure costs are in addition to the cost of the program.
*Travel to and from the program not included.

Pursue Your Licensure

Participants will choose to pursue licensure in one or more of the following pathways, in addition to gaining hands-on construction experience. Participants can choose from the following courses, certification, and licensing options:

OUR PARTNERS
General building
contractor

Work toward your General Building Contractor license by sitting for the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors, along with your state specific exams.

public UTILITIES CONSTRUCTION

Gain the qualifications to work on water, wastewater, and utility infrastructure systems, earning your NC Public Utility Contractors License.

highway
construction

Work toward your NC Highway Contractors License, qualifying you for grading, paving, bridge work, and large-scale civil infrastructure projects.

real
estate

Complete your Real Estate pre-licensing coursework and sit for the state exam, earning a license that works alongside your construction experience.

MORTGAGE
BROKER

Learn the financial side of real estate and construction by pursuing your mortgage broker licensure, giving you a powerful edge in the industry.

Interested in Applying?

apply now